The World Wildlife Fund, in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, has issued its Living Planet Index for 2018 and its conclusions are deeply troubling. Between 1970 and 2014, more than 60% of the earth’s living species lost 50% of their populations. According to the Report:

“The biggest drivers of biodiversity decline in the LPI remain habitat loss and degradation, and overexploitation. Together, they account for at least two-thirds of all threats to populations in each taxonomic group (birds, mammals, fish, and amphibians and reptiles) Beyond this, invasive species and disease, pollution and climate change are additional sources of pressure.”

EcoWatch summarizes the significance of the report:

“Many scientists believe that studies like that of the WWF demonstrate that a sixth mass extinction is now underway—a theory that would mean the Earth could experience its first mass extinction event caused by a single species inhabiting the planet. The loss of all life on Earth could come about due to a combination of human-caused effects, including a rapidly warming planet as well as the loss of biodiversity.

“‘The Great Acceleration, and the rapid and immense social, economic and ecological changes it has spurred, show us that we are in a period of great upheaval,’ reads the study. ‘Some of these changes have been positive, some negative, and all of them are interconnected. What is increasingly clear is that human development and wellbeing are reliant on healthy natural systems, and we cannot continue to enjoy the former without the latter.'”